Shadow in the Woods

Another super family-friendly game today for our “Halloween Spooktacular” that I reviewed a few years ago but I thought definitely deserved a second go-over.

“Shadows in the Woods” is one of the most unique games I own and a rare treat that we can only really enjoy once the nights start drawing in as it has to be played in complete darkness!

This game has been around for decades and released under various names. My version is the last to come with a real tealight, but newer editions now use a small LED lantern, making it a bit safer. We sometimes use an LED tealight ourselves, which works well for the game’s eerie atmosphere.

The premise is simple but captivating. One person plays the burning tea light (no theme this is what rule book says you are) and the other player(s) the dwarves. The dwarf player(s) hide their dwarves behind six trees, and the light player rolls and moves, trying to spot the hidden dwarves with the lantern’s beam. If the light fails to reveal a dwarf, they close their eyes, allowing the dwarves to sneak around – without crossing any light beams. The game takes on a sort of “stuck-in-the-mud” feel, where discovered dwarves are frozen until a fellow dwarf joins to rescue them. Victory is achieved when all dwarves are gathered at one tree or, conversely, when all are frozen.

Keeping track of everything in the dark is a challenge, but it’s definitely doable and adds to the fun. While it’s intended to be played with a real tealight, we prefer an electric one – a bit dimmer but certainly safer with younger kids around! I’ve tried it with a real candle with adults, which adds to the atmosphere, but that would be absolutely bonkers with my lot – especially Henry(3).

The components are charmingly rustic, with a handmade, craft-fair vibe. You’ll even need to glue felt to the dwarves yourself! While rough around the edges, it’s part of the charm and only adds to the game’s quirkiness.

It’s worth noting that this game does require honesty on both sides, so it might not suit everyone, and it’s best avoided if a child’s scared of the dark. That said, “Shadows in the Woods” gets a big thumbs-up for us – a delightfully unique game, with just a hint of spookiness!